Pet Health Blog

Pain management is a major part of our duty to the pets that come through our doors, and we are always on the lookout to find the latest research and therapies available to keep our patients comfortable and healthy.

As part of our mission to provide the best medical care to your pets, our veterinarians regularly attend lectures to stay current with the most current developments in veterinary medicine. ​One of these recent lectures addressed the efficacy of Tramadol (an opioid often used to treat pain) in dogs.Here's what we've learned:

Veterinary researchers recently discovered that dogs lack the M1 nerve receptors responsible for Tramadol's mode of pain control. The study concluded that due to these physiological differences, this medication does not provide the same long-term effects in dogs as it does in humans.

Though Tramadol offers effective control for acute pain, it has shown no bioavailability after 7 days. This means that any extended pain control is simply due to serotonin release (a common side effect of opioids), not the desired proper pain management obtained by blocking nerve receptors.

In light of this new information, the veterinarians at Allegheny North Veterinary Hospital are recommending a different medication for patients that need long-term pain management for chronic conditions:

Amantadine was originally developed as an antiviral medication, but has shown excellent results in treating chronic pain when used in conjunction with NSAIDs (such as Carprofen). It is not an opioid, but instead works by blocking NMDA receptors that amplify persistent pain.

If your pet is currently on Tramadol for chronic pain, please contact us to discuss changing to Amantadine.

Decorating for the holidays is a family tradition in most households. As much fun as this can be, it can cause loads of anxiety for cat owners...

Have you heard any of these phrases in your home?

"The toy train is NOT a mouse!"

"What if she chews the cords?"

"AHH! NO! NO TINSEL!"

"Get me the spray bottle."

"That's it...we're not putting any ornaments on the bottom 1/3 of the tree."

​Keeping both your cat and your decorations safe can be a challenge, and there's no single "cure all" that works for every cat (we wish there was!!). That said, we've got some tips that can help relieve some of your holiday stress:

1. Secure your Christmas Tree

This isn't just for cat owners! Rambunctious dogs can easily topple a tree as they romp around the room.

From the bottom: Using a square piece of plywood roughly the same width as your tree, place the tree stand in the center and mark where the legs rest. Drill holes at these marks(and the legs of the stand, if needed) and secure the stand to the plywood with bolts.

From the top: After the tree is in place, install a wall anchor (molly screw) level with the top 1/3 of the tree. Loop a strand of fishing line around the center of the tree and tie it to the anchor.

*Not keen on putting a hole in your wall? Try finding a spot where you can hang a picture for the remainder of the year. This isn't a good time for Command Strips (we chatted with a 3M representative that expressed concern that while you can tie the fishing line to the hook, a leaning tree may be enough pressure to rip the adhesive - and part of your plaster - off the wall)!

2. Make the tree "yucky"

There are several methods to make the base of your tree unattractive to your cat, and as mentioned before, not all of these work for every kitty. Here are some starters:

Scents & Sprays:

Commercial products (like Keep Off!) have mixed reviews, but seem to work for some pet owners.

Make your own spray with water + orange, lemongrass or citronella oil. Some cats detest these scents and will avoid the area on their own.

Orange peels placed around the base of the tree may have a similar effect - just replace them every couple of days. Bonus: you'll boost your Vitamin C intake to ward off flu season! ;)

Tactile Deterrents:

Aluminum foil laid under the tree/wrapped around the base is enough to give some cats the heebie-jeebies when they set foot on it.

Commercial training mats are available - though we don't recommend these, as they work by discharging a (mild) static shock when your cat steps on them. Sure, it might work, but at the cost of causing your cat distress, fear, and anxiety when he was just exploring his curiosity!

3. Offer an Alternative

Cats are attracted to trees - it's in their nature to want to climb and observe their surroundings from up high! Ask Santa if he might bring your kitty a early gift: A CAT TREE! There are some very reasonably priced cat trees online, with options to fit any style and budget.

Be sure to reward your cat with praise for choosing her kitty condo over the forbidden Christmas tree!

4. Do Not Punish!!

Remember the old saying, "You catch more flies with honey than vinegar?" Well, you train more cats with praise than punishment, too.

If (despite your attempts to deter him) you catch your cat climbing the Christmas tree, resist the urge to yell and scream and yank him out of the branches.

Instead, give a stern, "No" and remove him from the tree. Put him somewhere that you both want him to be: the cat tree, scratching post, etc. Reward him for staying there and interacting with his playthings.

Along the same lines, as you supervise your cat with the newly-raised Christmas tree, keep quiet and watch...if she walks up to the bottom branches and sniffs them, let her go and see what she does.

If she advances or starts batting at ornaments, follow the above method of moving her to a different place.

If she sniffs and turns away, REWARD!

Why does this work? Think like a cat:"Every time I go away from that (glorious, shiny bit of outdoors in my livingroom) tree, I get told what a good girl I am and get a treat!"

Remember: Honey, not vinegar. :)

Other Important Safety Tips

DO NOT USE TINSEL! These little foil strips are irresistible to cats. If ingested, they can cause serious harm to your cat's gastrointestinal tract. If you find that your cat has anything string-like hanging out of his throat or anus, DO NOT PULL IT - call us immediately.

Keep delicate, breakable, and sentimental ornaments high on the tree and out of reach.

Avoid edible ornaments (especially strings of popcorn...it can pose the same problem as tinsel!).

If you have a live tree, cover the pot with a piece of cardboard to keep your pets from drinking the water.

Protect cords for lights and other decorations. Pre-cut cord tubing is available at the hardware store, or you can use duct tape to secure the (tantalizingly dangly) cords from the tree to the base. Unplug decorations when pets are unsupervised.

Vaccine reactions are uncommon, but can be very serious, and in some cases, life-threatening. Know what's normal, and when to be concerned about your pet following a vaccination. Of course, if you're ever concerned about your pet's health, we encourage you to call us! Better to be safe than sorry. :)

Is your pet microchipped? Great! This permanent ID has proven time and time again to be an effective backup for lost collars and tags. But it doesn't stop at just having a microchip implanted!

The #1 reason for microchipped pets NOT reuniting with their owners is that the contact information in the database is incomplete or incorrect.

August 15 is "Check the Chip" Day, so take a few minutes to log in and make sure the info linked to your pet's microchip is up-to-date.

Not sure where to go? Visit www.petmicrochiplookup.org and enter your pet's microchip number to find out where the chip is registered. If you're having trouble finding your pet's microchip number, call us - we can help!

How vaccines work:

Legend has it that Albert Einstein once said, "If you can't explain it to a six-year-old, you don't understand it well enough."We could certainly get in-depth into the science of immunizations, but for simplicity's sake, here's an anyone-can-understand version:

How Antibodies Fight Disease

Diseases are spread by viruses or bacteria. Each of these germs has a unique "code," or antigen.

The body protects itself from these diseases by "cracking the code" and sending specific antibodies to destroy the disease before it causes illness.

Here's the catch: the body can't "crack the code" if the germ hasn't already been recognized, because there will not be a matching antibody to fight the infection.

How Vaccines Make Antibodies

Vaccines are made from weakened or killed parts of viruses and bacteria that cause disease.

In these small amounts, the body is able to add the "code" of the disease that the vaccine is intended to prevent to its "library of diseases" (e.g. create antibodies) without causing sickness.

If the body is ever exposed to the real disease, it can now "crack the code" and send those specific antibodies to combat the illness.

How your pet's vaccines help protect your family:

Some diseases are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans.

In dogs and cats, the most common zoonotic concern is the Rabies virus. Rabies is a fatal disease, most often transmitted via bite wounds from an infected animal.

It is a problem in Pennsylvania.

According to data from the PA Dept. of Health, there were 405 Rabies positive animals submitted in 2016 (21 in Allegheny County).

The most recently released data from June 2017 reports 154 Rabies positive animals statewide - in just one month.

Keep in mind that the PADOH is only able to report these numbers based on animals that were submitted for testing. This does not include many more that die from the disease, undetected in the woods.

The Rabies vaccine for dogs and cats is extremely effective, and is required for all domestic animals by PA state law (yes, they do go door-to-door and check).

A common question from cat owners:"Pumpkin never goes outside; why does she still need a Rabies vaccine?"State law aside, indoor cats still need to be protected. Though their risk for exposure is much less than a free-roaming outdoor cat, take a look at the map above: bats are the second most common Rabies positive animals in PA. Most often, these are bats that have made their way into homes through chimneys or by other means.

Cats are prey animals, and Pumpkin would be thrilled to finally get a chance to nab that "hairy bird" that just flew into her house. Not good if the "hairy bird" is actually a rabid animal.

There is no "one-size-fits-all" vaccine regimen.

There are many vaccines available for dogs and cats, but not every pet needs every vaccine. Our veterinarians recommend immunizations based upon your pet's lifestyle and environmental risk - this is one reason we spend extra time to ask important questions during your appointment.

Vaccinations can be divided into "core" and "non-core" vaccines:

"Core" Vaccines for Dogs

Rabies

DAPP or DHPP

"Non-Core" Vaccines for Dogs

Lyme* (while technically non-core, Lyme has become such a problem in Western PA that we now recommend it for all dogs)

Leptospirosis

Bordetella

Canine Influenza

"Core" Vaccines for Cats

Rabies

FVRCP

"Non-Core" Vaccines for Cats

Feline Leukemia (FeLV)

There are no silly questions!

As your pet's medical providers, part of our job is to help you be a well-informed pet owner.​If you have questions about your pet's vaccines, the diseases they prevent, or anything else, please ask us!

Are your pets disaster-ready?June is National Pet Preparedness Month, and as advocates for your pets' health and safety, we're sharing important resources and helpful tips to make sure you and your furry family are ready for just about anything!

Tip #1: Identification, Identification, Identification!Proper ID - for ALL pets - is the absolute most important thing you can do to increase the odds of reuniting with your animal in the wake of disaster. We all learned a valuable lesson after Hurricane Katrina, when only 15-20% of the tens of thousands of lost pets were able to join their families again.

There aren't hurricanes in Pittsburgh (thank goodness), but we do have our share of floods, tornadoes, fires and the possibility of attack in an unstable world.

We strongly recommend microchipping for dogs and cats (even indoor ones), because while a collar can fall off or be removed, the RFID chip will remain in place for the life of your pet. This simple procedure can be done at any appointment, with minimal pain - it's similar to a vaccine injection, just with a larger needle to accommodate the size of the chip. [Request an appointment online now]

Consider a microchip an extra layer of protection, not a replacement for ID tags.

You might consider having an alternate caregiver on standby in case something would happen that prevents you from accessing your home. Talk to trusted neighbors and create a plan together to provide care for one another's pets in case of emergency.

With Easter just around the corner, we thought it'd be a good time to remind pet owners with kids to keep the Easter baskets and candy stash up and away from your pets!

Curious noses are attracted to these sweet treats, and most pet owners know that chocolate is bad for dogs, but do you know why?

Chocolate contains Theobromine, a compound that humans can easily metabolize. Dogs' bodies do not process Theobromine well, causing it to build up in their bodies and produce serious side effects.

Severe cases of chocolate toxicity can lead to muscle tremors, seizures, heart arrhythmia, or even death.

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The severity of chocolate toxicity depends on several factors:

Type of chocolate

Weight of your dog

Amount of chocolate ingested​

As a general rule, the "darker" the chocolate, the higher the Theobromine content, so baking chocolate and dark chocolate can cause toxic side effects with a much smaller amount than milk chocolate.

Only 2 squares of baking chocolate or 6 ounces of semi-sweet chips can cause severe toxicity in a 20-pound dog.

If you suspect your dog has ingested chocolate, here's what we'll want to know:

An estimate of how much chocolate - and what type - your dog ate. (Check the packaging, if you have it.)

How long ago your dog ate the chocolate.

[If you're calling the ASPCA Pet Poison Helpline or an emergency hospital, they'll need to know your pet's weight. If your dog is a patient at Allegheny North, we will have his or her most recent weight in our records.]

Call us right away. Do not wait to look for side effects!After hours, contact a 24-hour emergency veterinarian or call the ASPCA Pet Poison Helpline.

If a toxic dose of chocolate was ingested, early treatment is critical. At the hospital, we are able to safely induce vomiting and administer fluid therapy, if needed. The type of treatment needed will depend on your dog's specific situation.

While one milk chocolate Hershey's Kiss might not cause harm to your Labrador, it's best not to share candy with your canine companions. Right now, your dog doesn't know what he's missing; avoid giving him any type of chocolate so that he doesn't develop a taste for it.

​We all know how hard chocolate is to resist once you know just how good it is...!

Lyme disease wasn't much of a problem in Pittsburgh just 10 years ago. In fact, the CDC had zero reported cases for Allegheny County in 2007 (see map). Unfortunately, that's not the case today. Southwestern Pennsylvania is plagued with Lyme, thanks in part to our recent shorter, milder winters.

In 2012, we started seeing dogs show Lyme positive results when performing their annual heartworm test (it also screens for three tick-borne diseases: Lyme, Ehrlichia, & Anaplasma). The numbers of affected dogs have continued to grow, and it's now typical to see several patients per week that have been exposed to Lyme.

​Our dogs are at risk, and so are we. Many clients have offered stories about their own experiences with Lyme. People often don't realize that they've been bitten by a tick until their doctor diagnoses an infection. Similarly, we frequently see dogs that test positive, and their owners had no knowledge of a tick attachment.

It's important to remember that even if your dog is a white fluffy couch potato, she still goes outside to "do her business," and the ticks are waiting. We can bring them in on our clothes, too!

What can I do to protect my dog from Lyme disease?We recommend a three-point prevention method for our patients:

Have your dog vaccinated for Lyme disease (and keep up with annual boosters). The Lyme vaccine helps to decrease the likelihood of disease transmission. Based on recent studies, the vaccine schedule for best protection includes a series of two vaccines 2-3 weeks apart, one at 6 months, then one at 1 year. The Lyme vaccine needs annual boosters to continue to protect your dog.

Screen annually for exposure using the 4Dx Snap Test. This is the same test we use to detect heartworm disease, and will let us know if your dog has been exposed to Lyme. It works similarly to a pregnancy test, giving us a "yes, exposure" or "no, no exposure" result. To confirm an active infection, our veterinarian will likely recommend further testing to accurately determine of the level of antibodies in your dog's blood (called the Quant C6 Antibody Test).

Use a safe, effective flea & tick preventative. Keeping ticks off of your pets and preventing them from having the opportunity to bite and transmit Lyme (or other tick-borne diseases) is one of the easiest ways to keep your companions safe.

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​A few important points about choosing flea & tick products:

​​Avoid over-the-counter preventatives: there are no regulations requiring safety studies for OTC flea and tick preventatives, and many of these products contain harsh insecticides that may be dangerous for your pets.

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Read the label: Make sure the product's label matches your pet's weight, and that it is labeled for your pet's species. Never, ever apply a product labeled for "dogs only" to your cat. It could have deadly consequences!

Know your options:Some pets dislike the sensation of topical medications, or may have sensitive skin. We carry several flea and tick prevention products that suit a variety of situations. If you're not sure which is right for you, just ask!

(Click the infographic at left to view full size image.)

What are common signs of Lyme disease?Many people are familiar with symptoms of Lyme in humans: the telltale "bullseye rash," fatigue, & joint pain. Dogs don't present with the rash (and even if they did, it'd be hard to see under all that fur!).

Signs of Lyme disease in dogs are subtle at first, and usually develop several months after the tick bite. Early signs can include fever, lethargy, and decreased appetite. Clients commonly come in for an exam when their dog starts showing signs of joint pain and swelling.

Often, a dog with an active Lyme infection will present with what we call "shifting leg lameness." In other words, he'll favor one leg for awhile, then shortly after will limp on a different leg.

Although less common, Lyme disease also has the potential of causing disease in the kidneys, heart, and nervous system.

If you're concerned that your dog is showing signs of Lyme disease, please call to make an appointment, or request one online.

What do I do if I find a tick attached to my dog?Sometimes ticks will attach despite our efforts to keep them off. If you find one, you want to safely remove it.

We carry tick tools that can help making removing ticks from your pets easier, and if you're nervous about taking it out yourself, we can safely do it for you!

​Note that it is impossible to tell by looking at a tick whether or not it carries Lyme disease.

It takes several weeks after exposure before antibodies will be detectable in the blood, so if you'd like your dog to be tested, note the date of the tick attachment and call to set up an appointment for at least 6 weeks later.

Source: Center for Disease Control

​How do I keep ticks out of my yard?The CDC recommends creating "tick-free zones" by designing your landscaping to be unattractive to ticks.

What can I do to protect myself from tick bites?

Wear long sleeves and pants when clearing brush or walking through the woods.

When hiking, stick to wide, well-maintained trails whenever possible.

Apply insect repellent with at least 20-30% DEET to exposed skin and clothing (do not use this on your pets).

Do a "tick check" after being in tick-friendly environments. Check your skin, clothing, and backpack, if you carry one. If you can, take a shower within 2 hours of returning home.

Wash and dry clothing with hot water and high heat. If the fabric can't withstand high temperatures, tumble dry with low heat for at least 90 minutes after washing.

Have more questions about ticks or Lyme disease? We're only a phone call away!

Oral exams are an important part of evaluating your dog or cat's health, because disease in the mouth can have far-reaching impact on other parts of the body.

The vet is looking at more than teeth when lifting those lips!

​What is the veterinarian looking for during an oral exam?

Is there an odor?

​Halitosis, or "bad breath" can be an indication of disease or infection. Many owners are aware of the bad odor coming from their pets' mouths, but don't realize that in most cases, we can treat the underlying cause.

Halitosis is most often caused by periodontal disease, but can also be a sign of a bigger problem, such as kidney disease or diabetes.

Gingival Hyperplasia

Are there masses or abnormal growths in the mouth?

​A mass in the mouth (such as on the gums or under the tongue) can be benign or malignant, and may cause excessive drooling or difficulty eating. Some cancerous growths show more obvious signs than others, but only removal and biopsy can accurately determine a growth's composition.

Gingival hyperplasia (pictured right) is a condition in which the gum tissue grows excessively, often causing it to overlap the dog's teeth.. This disease can affect any breed, but we see it often in Boxers, Bulldogs, and Great Danes.

Gingival hyperplasia is not usually a problem in itself, but it can cause periodontal disease to advance by trapping debris and bacteria between the gums and teeth.

Feline Stomatitis (Source: MSPCA)

Are there ulcers on the gums, cheeks, tongue or hard palate?​

Ulcers are particularly concerning, as not only are they painful - they can be related to more serious underlying diseases, such as auto-immune disorders and infectious viruses.

Some cats develop Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions (FORLs) or "neck lesions." FORLs cause the cat's tooth to resorb into the body, exposing the sensitive nerve within. Experts are still seeking the source of this painful condition, but extraction of affected teeth is typically recommended to alleviate discomfort and further progression.

Malocclusion (Source: Brett Beckman)

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Are the teeth and jaws properly aligned?

Malocclusion (misaligned teeth) is common in brachycephalic breeds ("short-nosed" dogs like Pugs and Bulldogs). While not always problematic, crowding or misalignment can cause excessive wear on affected teeth, discomfort, or difficulty chewing food.

Pictured right is a dog whose lower left canine tooth makes contact with an upper incisor.

Retained Deciduous Tooth (Source: Animal911)

Are there any retained deciduous (baby) teeth?

​​​There are 28 of those razor-sharp puppy teeth. Normally, these fall out by 6-7 months of age, when the 42 permanent adult teeth have all erupted in your dog's mouth.

Sometimes the root of the deciduous tooth does not resorb properly, leaving it in the way of the permanent tooth as it erupts. We call these retained deciduous teeth.​If not extracted, a retained baby tooth can cause the adult tooth to erupt abnormally. It can also cause chronic problems with dental disease as debris and bacteria become lodged between the deciduous and permanent teeth.

Severe Tartar (Calculus) in a Dog

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Is there plaque or tartar buildup?

​Plaque is a soft, bacterial-based film that coats the teeth. It can be easily removed with daily oral maintenance, like toothbrushing.

When plaque is not removed, it hardens into tartar. This mineralization (also called calculus) process forms a cement-like buildup on the teeth and below the gumline. Unlike plaque, tartar can only be removed by professional dental cleaning.

What can you do to improve your pet's oral health?

Create a daily oral maintenance routine.

​Brush your pet's teeth every day - at minimum, two or three times a week - to remove plaque and prevent it from turning into tartar. Be sure to use a pet-specific product (we carry C.E.T. toothpaste that is safe for both dogs and cats), because many products made for people contain ingredients that can be poisonous to your pet.

We understand that some pets may not tolerate toothbrushing. Not to worry! There are other options, like OraVet Chews, Oratene Maintenance Gel, and Hill's Prescription Diet t/d. Not sure what's best? Ask us - we're always happy to help!

Keep up with annual exams - even if vaccines aren't due.

We want to work with you as a team to keep your pet healthy! Cats and dogs age much faster than humans, so your pet missing one check-up is like you not visiting the doctor for several years.

Schedule dental cleanings before periodontal disease progresses.

​Early treatment not only prevents further disease, but it costs less to perform a routine, straightforward dental cleaning than it does to treat a severely infected mouth. The likelihood of extractions and lengthy anesthesia time increases as dental disease worsens, increasing the overall cost of treatment.

Think your dog or cat needs a dental cleaning?February is Pet Dental Health Month, and Allegheny North Veterinary Hospital is offering a special discount on dental cleanings through the end of March.